Getting to the NSW snowfields

Getting to the NSW snowfields is easy with a choice of transport options from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

By air

The closest airport to the NSW snowfields is the Snowy Mountains Airport at Cooma. Aeropelican have flights from Sydney taking just one hour.

Qantas and Virgin Blue also have regular flights to Canberra airport and there are connections with major Australian cities. Coach transfers are available between Canberra Airport and the snowfields. Major car hire operators have facilities at Canberra Airport. Canberra is a 2¼ hour drive from Jindabyne, the gateway to the snowfields of Kosciuszko National Park.  

By road to Jindabyne

You can choose to self-drive or take coach travel from Sydney, Canberra, Cooma or Jindabyne. Jindabyne is located 460 kilometres south-west of Sydney - allow 5½ hours for the whole journey.

From Sydney, take the M5 South Western Motorway which links with the Hume Highway and then the Federal Highway to Canberra.

From Canberra, follow the Monaro Highway to Cooma and then the Snowy Mountains Highway to Jindabyne.

Getting to the snowfields from Jindabyne

Perisher

From Jindabyne, travel straight along the Kosciuszko Road. On the way you’ll pass through the entry gates to Kosciuszko National Park, where a fee is payable. All 2WD vehicles have to carry chains. AWD and 4WD are exempt from this but it is still recommended.

Another alternative is the Skitube, a train that provides a fast, convenient link to both Perisher and Blue Cow. The Skitube terminal is located at Bullocks Flat, 20 kilometres from Jindabyne on the Alpine Way. The Skitube terminal lies below the snow line, which makes it a safe alternative to driving on snow-covered roads. Blue Cow is not accessible by road. The only access is via the Skitube.

For more information, and detailed, printable driving directions using Google Maps, please go to the Perisher page.

Thredbo

Take the Alpine Way from Jindabyne. On the way you’ll enter Kosciuszko National Park, for which a vehicle entry fee is charged. Depending on the weather, 2WD vehicles may be required to carry tyre chains for travel between Jindabyne and Thredbo.

Check road conditions before you travel by calling the RTA hotline 132 701. Chains can be hired from local service stations and ski hire shops. All 2WD vehicles have to carry chains. AWD and 4WD are exempt from this but it is still recommended.

For more information and detailed, printable driving directions using Google Maps, please go to the Kosciuszko National Park page.

Charlotte Pass

Nestled deep within the mountains and just a short distance from Mt Kosciuszko itself, Charlotte Pass is only accessible during winter by oversnow transport aboard a Snow Cat from the Perisher Valley Skitube terminal.

For more information, and detailed, printable driving directions using Google Maps, please go to the Charlotte Pass page for driving directions.

Selwyn Snowfields

This ski resort is located in the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park, 100 kilometres from Cooma via the Snowy Mountains Highway. From Sydney, take the Hume Highway to Gundagai, then follow the Snowy Mountains Highway. Except for 4WD vehicles, snow chains are required for travel on the Snowy Mountains Highway in winter.

For more information, and detailed, printable driving directions using Google Maps, please go to the Selwyn Snowfields page.